Baron Raymonde by Skip Spratt

Baron Raymonde (pronounced Raymonday) has been busy performing and recording R&B saxophone in the New York City area for over a decade. In that time, he has compiled an impressive list of credits which includes his most recent 42-city tour of the USA and Canada with Rod Stewart. As a featured instrumentalist with Rod, Baron played no less than six instruments.

Known primarily as a rock and R&B guy, Baron has toured and performed with Matt "Guitar" Murphy of Blues Brothers fame, The Blues Brothers Band, The G.E. Smith Band, The Hiram Bullock Band, Sister Sledge, Buster Poindexter and Taylor Dayne. He has also backed classic rock artists including Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, The Temptations and Four Tops, as well as The Coasters and The Drifters. Hes quick to mention that hes not just a "rock guy" but is a better-rounded saxophonist who has performed with Manhattan Transfer and toured with Artie Shaw Orchestra under the direction of Dick Johnson. In his own words, "I know how to play rock".

Baron's presence can be felt on the World Wide Web these days with his new site SaxBaron.com. Hes got links to his tour dates and performances. An especially nice link to his "smooth jazz" CD on Mp3.com. He has five cuts uploaded which are all funky but "smooth" only at times. Its not your typical fare from smooth jazz radio. His sound is bright, sometimes aggressive and very passionate. What really draws you to his music are that he doesnt waste a single note on top of the great grooves provided by George Witty. Not once did he play a flurry of notes and runs as some popular soloists like Kenny G or guitarist Eddie Van Halen might. Every note counts. His influences are obvious but hes got his own twist on a familiar sound.

  I first met Baron somewhere on the Internet - most likely a saxophone site. Soon Thereafter, I was getting regular e-mails telling of his upcoming performances in NYC with different bands, many times filled with New Yorks best known rock musicians. One e-mail had a picture of Baron complete with his "rock saxophone stage persona" attached. Another was a reminder of his upcoming appearance with Rod Stewart on the Rosie ODonnell Show. I was intrigued. It was on that show that I first heard him play.

Interview

The interview started with our minds on September 11 events but gradually shifted to our common interest - the saxophone.

The tragedy of September 11 is on everyone's mind. you're so involved in the NY scene. Have the recent events affected you personally?

Fortunately for me, no they havent. I have a friend who is a guitar player and he was in the Holland Tunnel, near Ground Zero. He is having a tough time dealing with what he experienced when he exited the tunnel in Manhattan. What was really strange was that I had a Friday night gig set for September 14 at the World Trade Center that was obviously canceled.

That must have been a very strange feeling. What was that gig all about and where was the club?

It was to be in "Windows of the World". They were going to feature a different artist each week. It was something new they were trying.

You really didnt have a long history with that club. This was something new?

Bob Magnusson recommended me. He does a lot of commercial work. He couldnt do it so he recommended me.

It was never meant to happen

No. It wasnt. Ill tell you, there are lots of players concerned about shows. Ive been subbing on Love Janice at the Village Theater. Lots of players are concerned about the attendance of the shows, as many people in New York are. I was actually supposed to do the show but I got called to do the tour with Rod (Stewart).

….YOU CAN READ THIS COMPLETE INTERVIEW IN JAN/FEB 2002 ISSUE OF SAXOPHONE JOURNAL. Contact dornpub.com for subscription information.

Used by permission.
© 2002 by Dorn Publications, Inc.
January/February 2002, Vol. 26, No. 3